Screen-printing frame

Abstract

A system for attaching mesh to a frame and applying tension to the mesh is described. The system includes a locking strip slot in a movable frame member that permits mesh and an attached locking strip to be inserted into the slot from the top. The locking strip may be asymmetric. The system further includes a rigid frame that can hold the movable frame member under tension. The system also includes gripping the movable frame member at the locking strip slot to apply tension to the mesh. A simple hand tool may be used for engaging the locking strip slot and leveraging against the rigid portion of the frame to apply the tension. A simple hand tool may be used for separating the movable frame member from the rigid frame to remove the mesh.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frame for stretching screen fabric, the frame comprising:
 a rigid frame including four sides surrounding a center, each side of the frame including:
 a first, second and third side groove; 
 a first step including the second side groove disposed on an external side of the first step distal the center of the frame; 
 a second step including the third side groove disposed on an external side of the second step distal the center of the frame, the first step disposed between the center of the frame and the second step; 
 a movable frame member including an asymmetric locking strip slot and a first and second projection, the asymmetric locking strip slot configured to receive a locking strip and the screen fabric, the first and second projection configured to engage the first and second side groove, respectively, for holding the movable frame member on the first step during insertion of the locking strip and screen fabric into the asymmetric locking strip slot, the first and second projection also configured to engage the second and third side groove, respectively, for holding the movable frame member on the second step while the screen fabric is stretched; and 
 a ridge disposed on the rigid frame between the first step and the center of the rigid frame, the first side groove disposed between the ridge and the first step, the ridge configured to support the stretched screen fabric while the movable frame member is disposed on the second step. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first step is above the second step, such that the movable frame member is configured to suspend the screen fabric above the ridge while the movable frame member is disposed on the first step and to support the screen fabric at the substantially the same level as the ridge while movable frame member disposed on the second step. 
     
     
       3. The frame of  claim 1 , wherein each side of the rigid frame further comprises a tool bearing surface including a longitudinal groove on an external side surface of the rigid frame distal the center and lower than the second step. 
     
     
       4. The frame of  claim 1  wherein the movable frame member further comprises a knob configured to support the screen fabric for suspension above the top surface of the ridge when the first and second projections are engaged in the first and second side grooves, respectively, to reduce dragging and friction between the screen fabric and the ridge during movement of the movable frame member from the first step to the second step. 
     
     
       5. The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the movable frame member further includes an offset ridge internal to the asymmetric slot, the offset ridge configured to provide separation between the screen fabric from and a tool engagement surface of the locking strip slot. 
     
     
       6. The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the ridge is substantially continuous about the inner periphery of the rigid frame. 
     
     
       7. The frame of  claim 1  wherein the ridge includes a vertical holding surface between the ridge and the first step.